The 3 - May 28, 2017

This week's edition of The 3 includes a story line that has become all too common this time of year: a student that has been prevented from making a graduation speech due to its faith content.  Also, dozens died in an attack in Egypt on a bus carrying Coptic Christians to a monastery.  Plus, there were quite a few spiritual implications during the first few days of the President's recent foreign trip.

3 - Student kept from delivering graduation speech because of faith content

It seems like every year about this time, you hear or read a story or two or more of graduating students who have had their free speech rights limited because they wanted to include mentions of God or faith in them.  Todd Starnes reports on his website that a 13-year-old student in Akin, IL, Seth Clark, had planned to share about his faith journey in a graduation speech at Akin Grade School, only to have school officials tell him he could not.  Starnes writes that Clark was...

...mighty proud of that speech. He referenced God and quoted from the Bible and even mentioned his Christian faith.

But just hours before graduation, Seth was told that he would not be permitted to deliver his remarks.

“As a public school, it is our duty to educate students, regardless of how different they or their beliefs may be,” Supt. Kelly Clark wrote in a prepared statement to the Benton Evening News.

“While students are welcome to pray or pursue their faith without disrupting school or infringing upon the rights of others, the United States Constitution prohibits the school district from incorporating such activities as part of school-sponsored events, and when the context causes a captive audience to listen or compels other students to participate,” her statement read.

Mat Staver of Liberty Counsel, I believe, would disagree with that assessment. In a piece on the organization's website, he is quoted as saying: "The key is that public schools should remain neutral towards any expression of a religious view, including graduation prayer. The school is allowed to neither command nor prohibit religious language..."

The website points out that:

In Adler v. Duval County School Board, Liberty Counsel successfully defended the right of students to pray or give religious messages at graduation. The case established the legal principle that public schools are free to adopt a policy that allows students or other speakers to present secular or religious messages, including prayer, at commencement ceremonies.

Well, the Seth Clark story doesn't end with the restriction on his speech.  Starnes reports that once residents of Akin learned it that "a neighbor of the Clark’s owned a house across from the school and he invited Seth to deliver the speech on his property." Becky Clark told Todd: "When it came time for the valedictorian and the salutatorian to deliver their speeches, they invited the audience to join them across the street at the house,” adding, “It was not mandatory.”

So, people went across the street to hear Seth's speech.

2 - Another attack on Coptic Christians in Egypt

Early Friday, at least 29 Coptic Christians in Egypt lost their lives when they were attacked while on a bus to a monastery.  According to the WORLD Magazine website, Islamic State took credit for the attack, carried out by its "soldiers."

In retaliation, it was reported that the Egyptian military "bombed militant bases affiliated with al-Qaeda in Libya." Egyptian President Abdel Fatah el-Sisi phoned the country’s Coptic Christian Pope Tawadros II and told him, according to WORLD, that the government would not rest until the terrorists responsible for the attack were punished.

Christianity Today reported that many of the victims were children. It stated:

Egypt’s interior ministry reported that three 4x4 vehicles of 8 to 10 gunmen dressed in military uniforms opened fire on the vehicle, which was on its way to St. Samuel the Confessor Monastery in Samalout, 140 miles south of Cairo.

1 - President's first foreign trip contains religious elements

The President's recent trip to the Middle East had plenty of spiritual overtones.  Mr. Trump addressed over 50 Arab leaders, challenging them to take it upon themselves to curb radical Islamic terrorism. He then traveled to Israel, where he met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu; he also went to Bethlehem to meet with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.

A Christian Today article included coverage of the President's visit to the Western Wall in Jerusalem. The story quotes the President:

"Yesterday, I visited the Western Wall, and marveled at the monument to God's presence and man's perseverance – I was humbled to place my hand upon the wall and to pray in that holy space for wisdom from God," he said in a speech at the Israel Museum.

Christian Today notes that "Trump is the first American president to visit Judaism's holiest site while in office. Prior to going the Western Wall, he visited one of Christianity's most sacred sites, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, which some believe is the place where Jesus was crucified. The trip to Jerusalem was the second stop on Trump's first international trip as president."

The President then went to the Vatican to meet with Pope Francis.

The Guardian reports that the two met for a little under a half-hour.  The website stated that:

The discussion was described as cordial in a statement by the Holy See, which said “satisfaction was expressed” for the good US relationship with the Vatican and their “joint commitment in favour of life, and freedom of worship and conscience”.

“It is hoped that there may be serene collaboration between the state and the Catholic church in the United States, engaged in service to the people in the fields of healthcare, education and assistance to immigrants,” the statement said.

The President gave the Pope some books written by Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and the pontiff gave Trump some of his own writings, as well as a medallion containing an olive branch, referred to as a "symbol of peace."  Trump reportedly said, "We can use peace."  Following the visit, the President tweeted out: "Honor of a lifetime to meet His Holiness Pope Francis. I leave the Vatican more determined than ever to pursue PEACE in our world."

Also, according to AOL.com, "Following her meeting with Pope Francis at the Vatican on Wednesday, first lady Melania Trump confirmed a fact that many were unfamiliar with -- she is a practicing Catholic."  The article points out that the President has referred to his "Presbyterian faith," and that the couple were married in an Episcopal church, where their son, Barron, was baptized later.

The 3 - May 21, 2017

In this week's edition of The 3, focusing on three stories of relevance to the Christian community, there is news about a Cuban pastor who has been put in prison - why?  Because he dared to homeschool his children.  Also, a substitute teacher in New Jersey has been reinstated after being removed from his position because he discussed faith with and handed a Bible to a student.  And, in another pro-life move, the President has broadened a policy preventing U.S. tax dollars from funding abortions in other countries.

3 - Cuban pastor jailed because of homeschooling

The imprisonment of a Cuban pastor for homeschooling his children has had reverberations in America, according to a report on the Faithwire website. Pastor Ramon Rigal, described as a "Cuban evangelical pastor" has been given a one-year prison sentence, and his wife is facing a sentence of a year of house arrest because they removed their children from the Cuban school system in order to homeschool their children.

This past Thursday, there was a protest about the decision in front of the Cuban embassy in Washington, D.C., as those gathered "demanded political asylum" for the pastor and his family.

The Faithwire story states:

According to the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA), which is working on the Rigals [sic] behalf, the pastor and his wife chose to homeschool their children after they began to face indoctrination and backlash for their faith in the Marxist-friendly schools.

The article reports that Mike Donnelly of HSLDA "told the Christian Post that the Cuban government’s decision to jail Rigal is inhumane and violates the tenets of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which was signed by the island nation in 2008 and 'recognizes the role of parents having the ability to conform the education of their children to their religious beliefs and philosophical convictions.'"

The story also says that those who were at the embassy "were attempting to deliver the CitizenGo petition" that was set up by HSLDA, which has received around 31,000 signatures, but "they were turned away by officials."  The report states that, "While the Rigals hope to stay in Cuba and continue serving their congregation, they are also open to coming to the United States should it prove to be the only option."

2 - Substitute teacher who shared Bible with student exonerated

Walt Tutka was a substitute teacher in Philipsburg, New Jersey, and in 2013, according to a report on the Family Policy Alliance website:

After hearing Tutka say “The first shall be last, and the last shall be first,” a student asked him about the quote, then asked more about the Bible, and ultimately asked if he could have one. Tutka, a member of the Gideons, gave him a pocket New Testament.

Tutka was removed from his position, and recently, he was exonerated by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.  The EEOC found that he was discriminated against by the school "on the basis of religion."  He has been reinstated.  Hiram Sasser of First Liberty Institute is quoted as saying: “We always knew Walt complied with all school district policies and federal laws,” adding “The EEOC agreed, and now Walt is returning to his service to the community in Philipsburg.”

The Family Policy Alliance article also pointed out that "The young man in the case had his religious freedoms violated as well."  The article also points to a bill that has passed the Indiana Legislature providing religious freedom protection for students.

1 - President expands Mexico City policy

Early in his Presidency, Donald Trump reinstated the Mexico City policy, which prevents U.S. taxpayer dollars from going to fund abortion in foreign countries.  Now, the Susan B. Anthony List reports that recently, the President has issued an Executive Order, which "modernized" the policy. According to its website:

The administration modernized the policy to cover all foreign health assistance provided by government agencies including the State Department, U.S. Agency for International Development, the Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator, and the Department of Defense. Previously the policy only covered family planning funds.

Susan B. Anthony List President Marjorie Dannenfelser is quoted in a statement: “By modernizing this important policy and expanding it to include $8.8 billion in foreign aid, President Trump is continuing Ronald Reagan’s pro-life legacy. This executive order does not cut a single penny from U.S. aid, rather it simply ensures our hard-earned tax dollars are used by other health care entities that act consistently to save lives, rather than promoting and performing abortion. Abortion is not health care.”

The 3 - May 14, 2017

This week's edition of The 3, including three stories of relevance to the Christian community, there is a story about a statement released by a federal agency head about religious liberty.  There was also a court victory recently for a Kentucky t-shirt printer who would not provide products for an LGBT event.  And, hundreds gathered in Washington for a meeting on Christian persecution.  

3 - Agriculture head releases religious liberty statement

It will be interesting to see how the ramifications of the President's executive order on religious freedom play out.  The order provided instructions to various federal officials to develop policies ensuring that religious liberty is protected.

And, recently, the Secretary of Agriculture, former Georgia governor Sonny Perdue, has a statement on respecting religious liberty, according to a report on the Family Research Council website, which provided quotes from the statement, which said: "Today, I want to reestablish this Department's commitment to safeguarding every American's First Amendment rights, particularly the right to free speech and the right to free religious exercise. USDA is committed to protecting both..."

This is especially relevant in light of an incident involving the USDA inspection of a meat processing plant in Michigan.  The FRC site said:

Don Vander Boon, owner of West Michigan Beef Company, was threatened by inspectors to shut him down -- not because of the meat he was processing, but because they had a beef with the conservative materials on the break room table. That case is yet to be resolved, but hopefully, Perdue's unequivocal statement will lead to unequivocal actions to protect and preserve religious freedom.

2 - Kentucky t-shirt printer wins appeals court victory 

There is encouraging news on the religious freedom front in a case involving a t-shirt printer in Kentucky, who had declined to provide shirts for a Gay Pride parade in Lexington.  According to the Alliance Defending Freedom website, the Kentucky Court of Appeals has ruled in favor of the printer, Hands On Originals, owned by Blaine Adamson.

The site reports:

In 2014, the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Human Rights Commission ruled that Blaine Adamson of Hands On Originals must print messages that conflict with his faith when customers ask him to do so. Alliance Defending Freedom attorneys appealed the order to the Fayette Circuit Court, which reversed the commission’s ruling and affirmed Adamson’s freedom to live according to his faith. The commission then appealed that decision to the Court of Appeals in Lexington-Fayette Urban County Human Rights Commission v. Hands On Originals.

ADF says that in the opinion, Chief Judge Joy A. Kramer "explained that no evidence demonstrates that Hands On Originals 'refused any individual the full and equal enjoyment of the goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, and accommodations it offered to everyone else because the individual in question had a specific sexual orientation or gender identity.'"

ADF went on to say that, "Adamson regularly does business with and employs people who identify as LGBT."  Senior Counsel Jim Campbell said, "Today’s decision is a victory for printers and other creative professionals who serve all people but cannot promote all messages. It is also a victory for all Americans because it reassures us all that, no matter what you believe, the law can’t force you to express a message in conflict with your deepest convictions.”

This case bears watching, because the track record of creative professionals defending their right to decline to provide products and services for events with which they disagree based on conscience has not been good.  We are still waiting to see if the U.S. Supreme Court hears the appeal of a cake baker in Colorado who declined to service a gay wedding.  The high court declined to hear the appeal of a New Mexico photographer who had faced negative court rulings.  And, a Washington florist's case received a ruling against her in the state supreme court.

1 - Persecuted church front and center in high-profile conference

This week in Washington, DC, the World Summit in Defense of Persecuted Christians was convened by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.  According to an article at BillyGraham.org, over 130 countries were represented there.  BGEA President and CEO Franklin Graham spoke on opening night, saying: “Nobody knows exactly how many Christians are killed or imprisoned for their faith,” adding, “But it’s safe to say over a hundred thousand a year.” He said, “It’s the equivalent of Christian genocide.”

The article points out that...

...By one report—Open Doors USA’s 2017 World Watch List—approximately 215 million Christians in the 50 countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian experience “high, very high or extremely high persecution.”

Vice-President Mike Pence addressed the gathering on Thursday morning, and according to BillyGraham.org, he said to the 600-plus people who attended: "...I’m here on behalf of the president as a tangible sign of his commitment to defending Christians and frankly all who suffer for their beliefs across the wider world." He also said, "The Bible tells us all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,” adding, “And those who are gathered here today are emblematic of millions across the world.”

He stated, referring to the Scripture in Jeremiah 29:11: “Know that America stands with you and will labor alongside,” adding, “But be confident, because in the midst of it all, He knows the plans He has for us. And even, as history records, even in times of persecution, this Church has prospered. It’s grown. It’s had hope. And a future.”

The 3 - May 7, 2017

On this week's edition of The 3, highlighting three stories of relevance to the Christian community, I provide an update on some recent instances of persecution of Christians in China.  Also, the health care bill passed by the U.S. House on Thursday contained a provision to limit funds going to Planned Parenthood.  And, Thursday was proclaimed as the National Day of Prayer by President Trump, a day on which he signed a religious freedom executive order.

3 - China detains church members, incidences of religious persecution reported

Even as the United States seeks to retool its working relationship with China, especially with regard to North Korea, Christians in that country are continuing to face instances of persecution.  A story on the Christian Headlines website from WORLD News Service opens up by stating:

Amid increasing attempts to suppress religious activities, Chinese authorities have detained, fined, and imprisoned Christians for public worship, buying and selling devotionals, and group Bible study.

The article mentioned several occurrences.  In one, according to the story, "a court in Xinjiang convicted five Protestants who attended a Bible study in 2016, charging them with 'gathering a crowd to disrupt social order,' Asia News reported."  In another, authorities raided a Christian concert, according to China Aid, which also reported that more than 80 people were arrested earlier this year in Xinjiang as a network of house churches was targeted.  And, a Christian human rights lawyer Li Heping has been convicted for "subverting state power."  He stays out of prison if he doesn't do it again.

And, recently, according to the China Aid website, just this week:

Police officers raided a house church meeting in China’s southern Guangdong province on Wednesday evening, detaining 30 of the members in attendance including the pastor and an American couple with two children.

The story also states that:

Because an American couple and their two children in attendance at the meeting, authorities accused the church of “accommodating foreigners” and “illegally gathering” because the church was not a registered meeting place.

By the way, beginning this Wednesday, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association will host a summit in Washington, DC concerning the persecuted church.

2 - How to defund Planned Parenthood - health care revision best

It was a lengthy process, although not as long as the time period it took for the original Affordable Care Act to pass.  The American Health Care Act offers revisions in that legislation, also known as Obamacare, and passed by a slim 217-213 margin in the U.S. House of Representatives.  It now goes on to the Senate, where wholesale changes are expected.

Pro-life advocates were pleased that this bill contained a provision to defund Planned Parenthood. According to Live Action News, "the U.S. House voted to strip Planned Parenthood’s Medicaid funds for one year. The year will begin immediately on the day President Trump signs the bill, if the Senate also passes it."  The report also states:

Since the defunding is coming through a reconciliation bill, 51 votes will be needed for passage in the Senate. The defunding will redirect approximately 80 percent of the abortion chain’s taxpayer funding and send it to the comprehensive health care centers around the nation that outnumber Planned Parenthood by the thousands.

Disappointment had been expressed because the omnibus budget bill that was passed last week continued to fund Planned Parenthood, the nation's largest abortion provider.  But, as Speaker of the House Paul Ryan had pointed out and the Family Research Council agreed, the Obamacare route was a more practical path, because it only required 51 votes in the Senate, rather than the 60 that it would take for the funding to be eliminated in the omnibus bill. an FRC post said, "When people blasted House leaders for not defunding Planned Parenthood in the omnibus, he [Ryan] reminded them that the reconciliation bill -- the same one that rewrites Obamacare -- is our best hope for that."  The piece included a quote from Ryan that the Hyde Amendment riders continued to be in the omnibus budget bill.

1 - Administration declares support for religious liberty in prayer proclamation, executive order

The greatly anticipated executive order on religious freedom was signed by President Trump on the National Day of Prayer Thursday.  And, in the evangelical community, there has been a wide variety of opinion, from enthusiastic embraces to expressions of disappointment.  In reading a number of quotes, I would say that even some who were critical of the order saw it as a "first step."

The order included language that stated an overall pledge of support for religious liberty, relief from punishment under the Johnson Amendment, which limits what pastors can say in the pulpit about political candidates, and relief for religious organizations suffering under the HHS contraceptive mandate.  The order stopped short of protecting business people who do not wish to participate in activities that do not align with their values, such as florists or cake bakers who decline to provide products or services for gay marriage ceremonies, which is what many were looking for.

Paul Weber, President and CEO of Family Policy Alliance is quoted on the organization's website:

“The previous Administration’s hostility toward the right to freely live out one’s faith was no secret,” he explained. “American employers and even faith-based charities were forced to choose between their faith and contributing to the good of our country’s economy and welfare.

“President Trump must continue to work to protect religious freedom. Family Policy Alliance and our network of 40 state-based family policy councils will work with families across the country to restore a nation where religious freedom flourishes.”

The article described the order as a "first step."  That article also called attention to the President's National Day of Prayer Proclamation, and included these words from it:

“We are also reminded and reaffirm that all human beings have the right, not only to pray and worship according to their consciences, but to practice their faith in their homes, schools, charities, and businesses – in private and in the public square – free from government coercion, discrimination, or persecution. Religion is not merely an intellectual exercise, but also a practical one that demands action in the world. Even the many prisoners around the world who are persecuted for their faith can pray privately in their cells. But our Constitution demands more: the freedom to practice one’s faith publicly.”

To hear analysis from Stuart Shepard, Executive Producer of Creative Communications for the Alliance, when he appeared on The Meeting House on Faith Radio on Friday, you can go to FaithRadio.org.